Waldoboro selectmen have asked Town Manager John Spear to work with Central Lincoln County YMCA Executive director Craig Wilson to craft a transfer agreement that would, if voters approve its provisions, transfer ownership of the A.D. Gray School building and surrounding land to the YMCA.
A draft agreement is in the process of being reviewed by attorneys for the town and the YMCA.
According to Spear’s notes for the Board of Selectmen’s June 12 meeting, one change from the previous proposal would add the so-called Philbrook ball field to the premises being transferred.
“After discussing the matter further it seemed that it would make sense, from both a management and cost perspective, to include this parcel,” Spear wrote. “However, under the terms of the agreement as proposed, ownership of this parcel, that is the Philbrook Field, would revert to the town in the event that the YMCA, its successors or heirs, conveys the premises to a third party or ceases to use the premises for recreational purposes.
Spear said, after the selectmen’s meeting, the most significant change from the YMCA’s original proposal is that ownership of the property would be transferred to the YMCA without the intermediate use of a 5-year lease. Under the former proposal, the YMCA would have leased the property at no cost, with the property reverting to town ownership if the organization or its successors ceased to operate it as a recreation center within five years.
The new proposal forgoes the lease arrangement, but calls for the property to revert to the town if it ceases to be used as a recreation center any time in the future.
In a related matter, Spear told the board that he had recently been notified that, in addition to the Anne Gay Bailey Trust, Key Bank also serves as trustee for the I. Stanley Bailey Trust. He stated that $500,000 of that trust must be used for construction and that the balance can be used for maintenance.
“As I understand it from Key Bank, the residual has a current value of approximately $780,000,” Spear wrote. He said the existence of the second trust was only made clear to the town after Finance Director Eileen Dondlinger made a routine call to Key Bank to inquire about the 2011 interest payment from the Anne Gay Bailey trust.
“While this is certainly wonderful news, and could perhaps facilitate and enhance this project in a very positive manner, it obviously warrants a discussion as to how to structure the arrangement between the town and the YMCA,” Spear wrote.
Board Chairman Steve Cartwright suggested that the YMCA would take ownership of the property upon voter approval and both trust funds be utilized to redevelop the property. That suggestion is also part of the proposal that Spear will discuss with the YMCA’s Wilson.
“We’re an organization for health seekers” he said. “For teens at risk, we’re a possible place to go.” He said the YMCA would be “a place for kids to go and let loose and be kids,” but that those using the facility could learn leadership skills and must adhere to behavior rules.
He said his organization would work with local sports groups, schools and other existing recreation programs to provide services and programs that are not found elsewhere.
“The more I get into it, the more I wonder why no one thought of it 10 years ago,” Wilson said.
He said his goal was to have a town-wide vote in September, so that work on the roof, drainage and building exterior could be completed in time to begin offering programs as soon as possible. Wilson said the gymnasium was basically ready to use and other activities could begin as interior spaces were made ready for them.
Asbestos abatement bids for the school building have been presented and range between $21,900 and $26,200. If the building were to be demolished, the cost of asbestos abatement was estimated to be $16,500. Wilson said the town would pay for asbestos abatement and the work would be done before the YMCA took possession of the property. Other hazardous materials, if any exist at the site, would be taken care of by the YMCA, he said.
“It’s almost 100 years old,” he said. “It’s a tired, well-used building. We’ll find some surprises, but that’s in the nature of doing this building.”
“Waldoboro is thirsty for a Y,” Wilson said. “If the town says yes, we can come in the next day. There are contractors lined up.”
While the CLC YMCA has never asked Waldoboro to support its activities and programs in the past, Wilson said some nominal, annual financial support would be expected if there was a facility located in the town. He said the CLC YMCA is four times the size of the A.D. Gray building, while the population of Damariscotta is half that of Waldoboro.
He said there would be many more meetings at which residents could share ideas, and joked with those present about the need for them to consider joining one of the planning committees that would form once the town approved the property transfer.
“We’ve been searching out folks we think would be passionate to serve the Y,” YMCA board member and Waldoboro resident Tor Glendenning said.
Wilson said he and members of the YMCA board would be at Waldoboro Day, June 16, to answer any questions residents have about the plans.
